Alibaba - Rangiroa

Alibaba, tucked inside Rangiroa's Tiputa Pass, is one of our absolute favourites for a reason. You'll drop into the blue, holding a line, watching the grey reef sharks cruise the channel entrance. It's a deep blue scene before you even hit the reef. Then, the real fun begins as you peel off and let the incoming current pull you into the "Ali Baba Canyon." This isn't your average drift. We love how the canyon walls provide shelter from the main rush, letting you slow down and really absorb the details. Look for the big schools of fusiliers, the snapper, and the occasional grouper sheltering in the crevices. Keep an eye out for humphead wrasse, they’re often around, and the moray eels are always out and about. We’ve even seen a tiger shark on a lucky day, though that's a rare treat. The maximum depth of 28 metres means it's accessible for most, but the current can be strong, so you need to be comfortable with drift diving. Alibaba is a thrilling dive, perfect for those who enjoy dynamic drift dives and want to experience Rangiroa's shark action up close without being swept away.

Location
Rangiroa, French Polynesia, Central & South Pacific
Coordinates
-16.085600, -145.711200
Type
reef

Marine Protected Area: Atoll de Fakarava

Best Time to Dive in Rangiroa

The warmest water temperatures in Rangiroa occur in April, averaging 29.2°C. The coolest conditions are in September at 26.8°C.

Monthly Water Temperatures

  • January: 28.5°C
  • February: 28.7°C
  • March: 29.2°C
  • April: 29.2°C
  • May: 28.7°C
  • June: 28.0°C
  • July: 27.3°C
  • August: 26.8°C
  • September: 26.8°C
  • October: 27.3°C
  • November: 28.1°C
  • December: 28.4°C

Nearby Dive Sites in Rangiroa

Nearest Dive Centres to Alibaba

Marine Life in Rangiroa

Home to 153 recorded species including 129 reef fish, 6 sea cucumbers, 5 whales & dolphins, 5 hard corals, 2 sharks & rays, 2 sea snails & nudibranchs.

Notable Species

Recommended Packing List for Alibaba

Based on average water temperature of 28.1°C, currents 11 cm/s.

  • Shorty or Rashguard - warm 28°C water needs minimal exposure protection
  • Mask - essential for every dive
  • Fins
  • BCD - buoyancy compensator
  • Regulator - your most safety-critical piece of gear
  • Dive Computer - tracks depth, time, and NDL
  • Surface Marker Buoy (SMB) - essential for boat pickups
  • Dive Torch - useful for crevices and colour at depth
  • Underwater Camera - capture your diving memories